The Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth

Having whiter teeth can enhance your smile and appearance. That’s why teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry options. Teeth discoloration can be caused by a build-up of stains coming from consuming certain drinks and foods like coffee and using tobacco products. Teeth whitening gives everyone a chance to have a brighter smile.

Not all teeth whitening options are suitable for everyone, so it’s good to get advice from your dentist before deciding on which whitening option to take. Some procedures apply to bleach while others do not, and people have different tolerance to treatment.

Teeth whitening is suitable if one has healthy teeth and gums. Most bleaching products contain peroxide, which bleaches the teeth enamel and makes your teeth brighter. The concentration of the peroxide will determine the strength of the whitening treatment.

However, not all discolored teeth respond to bleaching agents treatment. For example, bleaching doesn’t work on crowns, fillings, and other restorations. Our dentist in 75077, TX, will examine you and tell you if your gums and teeth are healthy enough to get a tooth whitening process. If the dentist tells you that you’re a candidate for teeth whitening, you’ll need to choose your preferred teeth whitening method.

Different Ways of Teeth Whitening

There are different options for teeth whitening near you that include the following:

Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste is limited to removing stains in your teeth. They contain polishing agents and special abrasives that promote stain removal. The ingredients are usually better versions of those found in regular toothpaste, so they are not likely to cause excessive wear to the teeth. However, since whitening toothpaste doesn’t contain bleach, it can only make your teeth one shade lighter.

Whitening Rinses

Whitening rinses such as mouthwashes help reduce dental plaque and freshen breath. It also helps prevent gum disease while including hydrogen peroxide that whitens teeth. The mouthwashes need to be swished around your mouth for one minute twice daily before brushing your teeth.

Rinses are usually less effective than over-the-counter whitening products since the rinse is in contact with the teeth two minutes a day. This is opposed to the strips which get into contact with the teeth for 30 minutes. In addition, the rinses can take up to 12 weeks to show results.

Over-the-counter Whitening Strips and Gels

Over-the-counter products produce more noticeable results because they have ingredients that help lighten the color of your teeth. You should apply the whitening gel directly to the teeth’s surface using a small brush twice daily for 14 days. You’ll notice a significant change in your teeth’s color, and the final results usually last for about four months.

Whitening strips have a whitening gel coating which peroxide-based. It is applied for 30 minutes twice daily for 14 days. The result lasts for about four months.

Tray Based Whiteners

Tray-based whiteners work by filling mouth guard-like appliances with a gel whitening solution that contains a peroxide bleaching agent and finally wearing the tray for a period of time. Depending on your level of discoloration, it can take up to a few hours a day to every day at night for up to four weeks or even longer.

You can get tray whitening kits from your dentist or purchase them over the counter. When you get the kits from the dentist’s office near you, they’ll produce faster and more effective results than those over-the-counter since they contain a more potent peroxide-bleaching agent.

In addition, the whitening trays from your dentist are custom-made to fit your teeth. In contrast, the counter trays are in generic sizes, allowing the bleaching agent to contact your gums, causing irritation.

In-office Whitening

In-office whitening at Campbell & Williams Family Dental is the quickest and best way to brighten your teeth. Professional treatment costs more than other whitening options, but the results are usually worth the investment.

Our dentist applies a whitening product directly to the surface of your teeth. They’ll then expose them to a special light or a heat source. As a result, our professionals will make your teeth three to eight shades lighter. You’ll notice dramatic results in just 30 minutes to one-hour treatment. Your dentist will recommend regular visits to maintain satisfying results.